Biography of Timothy McDowell

This gentleman may with truth be spoken of as one of the most enterprising of the pioneers of Casco. His birth
occurred in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1801, and was of excellent New England extraction.

He was married in 1825 to Miss Emeline Reynolds, at Lockport, N. Y. During the year 1845 both he and his wife became
interested in the new country in the West, which resulted in their removal to the present township of Casco, Mich.
The family of Mr. McDowell were the earliest settlers within its boundaries. No pioneer had yet entered its dense
forests, and no post-office nearer than Saugatuck was accessible. To reach this point required a journey of fifteen
miles. Mr. McDowell brought much. energy to bear in the pioneer labor that awaited him, and ultimately had the
gratification of seeing luxuriant crops upon his estate, and the country around him rapidly settled.

Mr. and Mrs. McDowell were the parents of six children, the eldest having died at the age of seven, and the youngest
at the age of ten months. These little ones were buried in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Two sons, John and Warren, died
after reaching mature years, the former having fallen a victim to the horrors of Andersonville prison.

Mr. McDowell’s death occurred at his home in Casco, Feb. 5, 1877. He was one of the most influential and affluent
residents of the township, and had been for years a director of the South Haven First National Bank. Aside from
his high character as a business man, he was an exemplary and esteemed citizen.

From:
History of Allegan and Berry Counties, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of Their Men and Pioneers.
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincoff & Co., Philadelphia.